Tag: super eagles

Categories
Sport News

The Moment Super Eagles’ Coach, Eric Chelle Almost Got Into A Fight With DR Congo Staff Following Nigeria’s Defeat (Video)

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle nearly clashed with a member of the DR Congo staff following Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss last night.

DR Congo came back from a goal down to beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in a tightly-contested African play-offs final on Sunday, November 16, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, picking Africa’s sole ticket for the intercontinental play-offs billed for March next year.

Before a final penalty, Chelle was seen attempting to start a fight with a member of the DR Congo staff. He had to be held back by some of his coaching crew.

During his post-match interview,  Éric Chelle stated that the reason for his anger was that the Democratic Republic of the Congo team was performing rituals on the sidelines during the penalty shootout to disrupt the game.

“Throughout every second of the penalty shootout, a member of the DR Congo team’s staff did some voodoo.

“This was the case for every penalty kick, and it made me feel very uncomfortable,” he said.

Categories
Sport News

Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dream Comes To An Ends As DR Congo Knock Out Nigeria In Penalty Shoot-Out

Nigeria has missed out on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after falling to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff final on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in.

But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.

Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs.

They will now play in a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from March 23 to 31 in 2026 to decide the final two sides for next year’s World Cup.

Categories
Sport News

2026 WCQ Playoffs: Nigeria To Face DR Congo In African Playoff Final

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 World Cup playoff final.

The winner of this game will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026 in a bid to qualify for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Super Eagles defeated Gabon 4-1 in their semi-final game, with goals from Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, and Victor Osimhen, who scored a brace, making sure Nigeria sealed the victory to advance to the next stage.

DR Congo snatched a shocking victory, as they thrashed Cameroon 1-0 after Captain Chancel Mbemba headed in a late winner in stoppage time, to give his country a chance of qualifying for next year’s tournament.

The finals will be played on Sunday, November 16 at the newly built Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Categories
Sport News

Supers Eagles thrash Gabon to advance to African playoff final

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time on Wednesday to advance to the final stage of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The match was played at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco,

Akor Adams opened the scoring for Nigeria in the second half before Mario Lemina equalized for Gabon to force the match into extra time.

Osimhen leads Nigeria’s extra-time surge

After missing at point blank at the die-minute of second half, Victor Osimhen went on to inspire Nigeria’s turnaround in extra time, scoring twice to put the Super Eagles firmly in control.

Chidera Ejuke also scored, making it four goals to complete the victory and end Gabon’s hopes of qualification.

Focus amid off-field distractions

The win came despite recent bonus disputes between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation, an issue that had threatened to disrupt preparations.

However, the team remained focused and produced a dominant performance when it mattered most.

Next challenge for the Super Eagles

Nigeria will face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in the final round on Sunday, with a place in the intercontinental playoff at stake.

The match is scheduled for the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (also known as the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium).

Categories
Sport News

2026 WCQ Playoff: ‘A Real Shame’ – Troy Deeney Slams Nigeria Over Bonus Issues

Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has described the ongoing dispute over match bonuses between the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as a real shame.

The participation of Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff was thrown into doubt on Tuesday after it became public that the team refused to train as a way of protest over their unpaid match bonuses.

However, a statement came out from the team on Wednesday afternoon confirming that every issue has been resolved and that the players are in a good mood for Thursday’s encounter.

Deeney lamented the timing of such distractions, noting that this was neither the first, second nor the third time off-field issues like this would spring up during crucial moments in Nigerian football.

“It’s a real shame because it’s a huge moment in the World Cup qualifiers and we are now talking about off-the-pitch stuff again.

“It’s not the first time, not the second time,”Deeney told CBS Sports Golazo.

Nigeria will face either Cameroon or DR Congo if they are able to beat Gabon in the first semi-final game in Rabat on Thursday.

Cameroon will play DR Congo in the other game later in the evening.

Categories
Sport News

BREAKING: Super Eagles Resume Training After Boycott Over Unpaid Bonuses

The Super Eagles have resumed training in Morocco after skipping Tuesday’s session over unpaid bonuses ahead of their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers playoff against Gabon.

Reports from the team’s camp indicated that the dispute has been resolved following discussions between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The squad is now set to resume full preparations for Thursday’s crucial clash with the Panthers.

Details shortly…

Categories
Sport News

Nigeria vs Gabon: Mikel Obi Lists Three Things Super Eagles Must Do

Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has outlined three key things Eric Chelle’s team must do when they face Gabon in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff on Thursday in Morocco.

Obi Mikel urged the Super Eagles to approach their match against Gabon with confidence, bravery, and passion, adding that they should be proud to wear the green and white colors of Nigeria.

The winner of the encounter between Nigeria and Gabon will face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in the playoff final on Sunday.

“Go in the game, play as we should, with full confidence, bravery, and passion, knowing you’re wearing the green white green, the badge of that green white green is huge,” Obi Mikel, a former Chelsea midfielder, said on the Obi One Podcast Channel.

“300 million people, that is a lot of pressure, but you have to deal with it. I know they can do it, and I believe in them.”

Nigeria heads to the game after defeating the Benin Republic in their last game, while Gabon won against Burundi.

Categories
Sport News

CAF Releases 5 Key Rules for Super Eagles’ Crucial World Cup Playoff Against Gabon

Five key match regulations have been released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of Nigeria’s high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash against Gabon.
The procedural guidelines confirm how the crucial encounter will be decided.
The regulations confirm that if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed to extra time, and if extra time fails to produce a winner, the tie will be determined via a penalty shootout. Regarding player substitutions, teams will be allowed to make up to five substitutions during regular time, with an additional sixth substitution permitted if the match is extended into extra time, offering coaches strategic flexibility to manage fatigue.
Finally, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be in operation for the playoff, assisting match officials in major decision-making involving goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity, ensuring fairness and accuracy for this decisive fixture.
The Nigeria vs. Gabon clash is a single-match semi-final within a centralized mini-tournament being held in Morocco.
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
Venue: Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco
The winner of this match will proceed to the African play-off final on Sunday, November 16, to face either Cameroon or DR Congo, with the ultimate tournament champion advancing to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off for a chance at a 2026 World Cup berth
Categories
Sport News

Super Eagles Announce 24-Man Squad For 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-Offs In Morocco

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have announced their 24-man squad for next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

The Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has called on a mix of seasoned stars and exciting young talents as the team gears up to face Gabon in the semi-finals.

Captain William Ekong leads the group, which includes Galatasaray talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey.

Midfielders Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Frank Onyeka join emerging defender Benjamin Fredericks, while forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman complete the list of players expected to make an immediate impact.

Nigeria will take on Gabon on Thursday at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, which holds 22,000 fans. The other semi-final will see Cameroon face the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.

Chelle has recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke, while Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle have also been included in the squad. Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the Gabon match after receiving a one-game suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in the qualifying campaign.

Players are scheduled to fly into Morocco from their various clubs across Europe and beyond, joining the rest of the squad in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.

Full 24-Man Super Eagles Squad For The World Cup African Play-offs:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).

Categories
Sport News

I Have Been Unlucky With The Super Eagles – Victor Boniface Opens Up

Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface has reflected on his journey with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, admitting that goals have not come as expected despite his best efforts.

The striker said his national-team showings have drawn mixed reactions, but he remains grateful for the opportunity to represent his country.

Boniface, who spoke in an interview with sports journalist Oma Akatugba, noted that his commitment to the team has never been in doubt, even though he has faced challenges converting chances on the big stage.

He explained that his dream of playing for the Super Eagles was fulfilled, but his time in the national colours has not yet reflected his true abilities.

According to him, struggles in a few games do not define who he is as a footballer, nor do they diminish his sense of pride each time he plays for Nigeria.

“I have been unlucky with the national team in terms of scoring goals, even though there were a couple of games I was not good,”Boniface said.

“My biggest dream as a football player was to represent my country and I achieved this and I am grateful for this.

“Because it has not worked good for me with the national team does not mean I am a bad player.”

Speaking further on his club career and the transfer window that saw him linked with AC Milan, Boniface said he has no regrets about how things played out.

“When the Milan deal didn’t go through, I was just relaxing with my friends. Things like that happen in football all the time,” he said, expressing contentment with his new chapter. “I love Germany. I really do.”

Boniface, who missed a significant part of last season due to injury, dismissed claims that his campaign was disappointing.

“I missed a lot of games but still scored eight goals. I don’t understand how that became a bad season,” he stated.

He emphasized that his journey has been shaped by resilience. “I came from humble beginnings. I’ve faced tough injuries that could have ended my career, so every day I’m thankful to God. Being here is already a blessing.”

The forward also addressed criticism over his social-media activity, a recurring subject among fans and commentators.

“I just post funny things. If people make it into a big issue, that’s their choice. My posts don’t hurt anyone,” he explained. “When I stopped posting, they said I must be going through something. When I post, they still complain.”

Boniface stressed that his happiness in Germany goes beyond football, noting the connection he feels with the environment and supporters.

“We have a good connection here. It feels like home,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating his commitment to staying and succeeding in the Bundesliga. “I had offers from other countries, even from England, but I chose to stay in Germany. I love it here and I want to make the fans proud.”

Victor Boniface is currently on loan at Werder Bremen from Bayer Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season.

About Us

626blaze is an entertainment and lifestyle website that brings you latest gist and scoops from the world of music, fashion, movies, sports and social commentary.

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletters